Australian Open star Pavel Kotov left a ball lady cowering in terror as he blasted a ball in the direction of her in anger.
Kotov, 25, was raging after shedding a degree in his first-round conflict with Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech on Sunday (January 14). The Russian let his feelings get the higher of him.
After accumulating the ball he circled and smashed it on the wall behind him, with the close by ball lady recoiling in concern as she turned away to guard herself. Fortunately, it ended up bouncing far-off from her.
READ MORE: Tennis’ richest gamers – from the game’s first billionaire to mega rich Rafael Nadal
READ MORE: Luke Littler, 16, receives warning from Emma Raducanu, 21, forward of Australian Open
Learn extra
Watch each Playoff sport together with Super Bowl LVIII reside, plus 1000’s of hours of on-demand programming together with Hard Knocks, NFL Network, NFL Films and way more.
Get the genuine American broadcast expertise in English with U.S commercials, half-time exhibits and evaluation.
£19.99
DAZN
Kotov prevented any punishment for his outburst, regardless of Grand Slam guidelines stating: “Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a tennis ball within the precincts of the tournament site except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up).”
Many followers felt he’d received away with one, as one argued: “Should be disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct… What if he had hit her?” A second fumed: “What a disgrace, disqualify him.” And a 3rd lobbied: “Should be booted out of the tournament.”
Do you suppose Kotov ought to’ve been punished? Let us know within the feedback part.
(Image: AFP through Getty Images)
A fourth commented: “Time tennis Australia needs to stamp hard on this unruly bad tempered behaviour, have some RESPECT for those ball kids.”
While a fifth questioned: “So where is the disciplinary action by match referee and tournament referee? He should have lost points and been fined plus had to publicly apologise. The standard you walk by is the one you accept. AO take action now!!!!!”
Moscow-born Kotov beat Rinderknech 3-2 to progress to the second spherical of a Grand Slam for the primary time, having beforehand fell on the first hurdle of the French Open and twice on the US Open.
He’s labored his means as much as a career-high sixty fourth on the earth rankings at the beginning of the 12 months, having solely made his ATP debut in 2020.